On the cusp of adulthood, 17-year-old MELISSA navigates a dark odyssey from innocence to sensuality under the manipulative hand of her boyfriend, LOKI, within the framework of the provocative electronic dance music scene of 1990’s New York. Melissa comes of age during this tension-filled journey that is full of hope and despair.
Melissa’s journey begins when she escapes her violent and broken home, where her drug-dependent mother Roxanne is divorcing her aggressive stepfather. In search of a future, Melissa aggressively pursues her dream to DJ, but she flirts with danger, drugs, and sexism along the way. Melissa finds haven in the underground club culture, where she is accepted amongst the ravers and empowered with a sense of idealism that challenges the traditional notions of heroism, justice, and social norms. The story of fiercely independent Melissa, offers insight into a young woman’s struggle and illuminates the pulsating glamour and menace of the underground dance music world, before this culture evolved into a mainstream music outlet for the millennial generation worldwide.
An award-winning short film that takes you inside NYC’s early 90’s House Music underground scene.
Writer/ Director/ Producer: Rosa Costanza
Genre: Drama, Musical
Logline: “Music is what connects me. To my potential, my creative space, my freedom.”
Synopsis:
On the cusp of adulthood, 17-year-old MELISSA navigates a dark odyssey from innocence to sensuality under the manipulative hand of her boyfriend, LOKI, within the framework of the provocative electronic dance music scene of 1990’s New York. Melissa comes of age during this tension-filled journey that is full of hope and despair.
Melissa’s journey begins when she escapes her violent and broken home, where her drug-dependent mother Roxanne is divorcing her aggressive stepfather. In search of a future, Melissa aggressively pursues her dream to DJ, but she flirts with danger, drugs, and sexism along the way. Melissa finds haven in the underground club culture, where she is accepted amongst the ravers and empowered with a sense of idealism that challenges the traditional notions of heroism, justice, and social norms. The story of fiercely independent Melissa, offers insight into a young woman’s struggle and illuminates the pulsating glamour and menace of the underground dance music world, before this culture evolved into a mainstream music outlet for the millennial generation worldwide.
Creator’s Vision:
“My exploration of the underground rave world of early 90’s New York, when the electronic music scene was fresh, inspired me to document my most durable and memorable experiences. The XING story captures my unfiltered access to the rave and club world after I was hired to distribute flyers as a promoter for ACME Lighting company and my subsequent attempts to become a House Music DJ at 17 years old. The authenticity of XING has attracted internationally recognized pioneers of house and techno music; Producers/DJs who have remained relevant since the inception of electronic dance music.”
Festival Acceptances:
XING has been accepted to 10 festivals and won 4 awards as of August 2017.
Awards:
The 2017 Los Angeles Film Review “Independent Film Silver Award”, WorldFest Houston “Silver Remi” Award 2017, UCLAx Film Festival “Best Unique and Artistic Film” 2017, Action On Film Festival 2017 “Best Editing of a Short Film” Award
Festivals:
1- 25th St. Louis International Film Festival (Nov. 2016)
2- Los Angeles Film Review (2017)
3- Newport Beach Film Festival (April 2017)
4- 50th Annual Worldfest Houston (April 2017)
5- UCLAx Film Festival (May 2017)
6- Cannes Court Metragé, Short Film Corner (May 2017)
7- International Film Festival – Nice, France (May 2017)
XING has been accepted to 10 festivals and won 4 awards as of August 2017:
Awards:
The 2017 Los Angeles Film Review “Independent Film Silver Award”, WorldFest Houston “Silver Remi” Award 2017, UCLAx Film Festival “Best Unique and Artistic Film” 2017, Action On Film Festival 2017 “Best Editing of a Short Film” Award
Festivals:
1- 25th St. Louis International Film Festival (Nov. 2016)
2- Los Angeles Film Review (2017)
3- Newport Beach Film Festival (April 2017)
4- 50th Annual Worldfest Houston (April 2017)
5- UCLAx Film Festival (May 2017)
6- Cannes Court Metragé, Short Film Corner (May 2017)
7- International Film Festival – Nice, France (May 2017)
On the cusp of adulthood, 17-year-old MELISSA navigates a dark odyssey from innocence to sensuality under the manipulative hand of her boyfriend, LOKI, within the framework of the provocative electronic dance music scene of 1990’s New York. Melissa comes of age during this tension-filled journey that is full of hope and despair.
Melissa’s journey begins when she escapes her violent and broken home, where her drug-dependent mother Roxanne is divorcing her aggressive stepfather. In search of a future, Melissa aggressively pursues her dream to DJ, but she flirts with danger, drugs, and sexism along the way. Melissa finds haven in the underground club culture, where she is accepted amongst the ravers and empowered with a sense of idealism that challenges the traditional notions of heroism, justice, and social norms. The story of fiercely independent Melissa, offers insight into a young woman’s struggle and illuminates the pulsating glamour and menace of the underground dance music world, before this culture evolved into a mainstream music outlet for the millennial generation worldwide.
An award-winning short film that takes you inside NYC’s early 90’s House Music underground scene.
Writer/ Director/ Producer: Rosa Costanza
Genre: Drama, Musical
Logline: “Music is what connects me. To my potential, my creative space, my freedom.”
Synopsis:
On the cusp of adulthood, 17-year-old MELISSA navigates a dark odyssey from innocence to sensuality under the manipulative hand of her boyfriend, LOKI, within the framework of the provocative electronic dance music scene of 1990’s New York. Melissa comes of age during this tension-filled journey that is full of hope and despair.
Melissa’s journey begins when she escapes her violent and broken home, where her drug-dependent mother Roxanne is divorcing her aggressive stepfather. In search of a future, Melissa aggressively pursues her dream to DJ, but she flirts with danger, drugs, and sexism along the way. Melissa finds haven in the underground club culture, where she is accepted amongst the ravers and empowered with a sense of idealism that challenges the traditional notions of heroism, justice, and social norms. The story of fiercely independent Melissa, offers insight into a young woman’s struggle and illuminates the pulsating glamour and menace of the underground dance music world, before this culture evolved into a mainstream music outlet for the millennial generation worldwide.
Creator’s Vision:
“My exploration of the underground rave world of early 90’s New York, when the electronic music scene was fresh, inspired me to document my most durable and memorable experiences. The XING story captures my unfiltered access to the rave and club world after I was hired to distribute flyers as a promoter for ACME Lighting company and my subsequent attempts to become a House Music DJ at 17 years old. The authenticity of XING has attracted internationally recognized pioneers of house and techno music; Producers/DJs who have remained relevant since the inception of electronic dance music.”
Festival Acceptances:
XING has been accepted to 10 festivals and won 4 awards as of August 2017.
The 2017 Los Angeles Film Review “Independent Film Silver Award”, WorldFest Houston “Silver Remi” Award 2017, UCLAx Film Festival “Best Unique and Artistic Film” 2017, Action On Film Festival 2017 “Best Editing of a Short Film” Award
1- 25th St. Louis International Film Festival (Nov. 2016)
2- Los Angeles Film Review (2017)
3- Newport Beach Film Festival (April 2017)
4- 50th Annual Worldfest Houston (April 2017)
5- UCLAx Film Festival (May 2017)
6- Cannes Court Metragé, Short Film Corner (May 2017)
7- International Film Festival – Nice, France (May 2017)
8- Harlem International Film Festival (May 2017)
9- Action On Film Festival (August 2017)
10- Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema (August 2017)
Categories:
Festival Acceptances:
XING has been accepted to 10 festivals and won 4 awards as of August 2017:
The 2017 Los Angeles Film Review “Independent Film Silver Award”, WorldFest Houston “Silver Remi” Award 2017, UCLAx Film Festival “Best Unique and Artistic Film” 2017, Action On Film Festival 2017 “Best Editing of a Short Film” Award
1- 25th St. Louis International Film Festival (Nov. 2016)
2- Los Angeles Film Review (2017)
3- Newport Beach Film Festival (April 2017)
4- 50th Annual Worldfest Houston (April 2017)
5- UCLAx Film Festival (May 2017)
6- Cannes Court Metragé, Short Film Corner (May 2017)
7- International Film Festival – Nice, France (May 2017)
8- Harlem International Film Festival (May 2017)
9- Action On Film Festival (August 2017)
10- Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema (August 2017)
Student project: No
Completion date: 2016
Shooting format: RED
Aspect ratio: 16x9
Film color: Yes
First-time filmmaker: Yes
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